Deprescribing
You deserve to know what you actually still need.
Deprescribing is the process of thoughtfully reducing or stopping psychiatric medications that may no longer be necessary, appropriate, or well-tolerated — done carefully, at a pace that is safe for you.
Why deprescribing matters
Psychiatric medications are often started during a crisis, a particularly difficult period, or as a trial — with the intention of reassessing over time. In practice, that reassessment rarely happens. Medications accumulate, doses stay the same long after circumstances have changed, and patients are left managing side effects or wondering whether they still need what they're taking.
Deprescribing is not about getting off medication as a goal in itself. It is about making sure the medications you are taking are still doing what they were meant to do — and that the benefit genuinely outweighs the cost.
For some patients, a careful taper reveals that they have been stable for years and no longer need a medication. For others, the process clarifies that staying on a medication is the right choice — and that knowledge matters too. Either way, the goal is an informed, intentional treatment plan rather than one maintained by inertia.
Important: Deprescribing is a medically supervised process. Stopping or reducing psychiatric medications without guidance — particularly benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and antipsychotics — can be dangerous. If you are considering this, please work with a provider rather than tapering on your own.
Medications we help taper
Harborlight evaluates deprescribing requests on a case-by-case basis. The right approach depends on which medication is involved, how long you have been taking it, your current symptoms, and your goals.
Antidepressants (SSRIs / SNRIs)
Long-term use warrants periodic reassessment. Tapers are individualized — some patients can discontinue successfully; others benefit from staying on maintenance dosing. We help clarify which situation applies to you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzo tapers require particular care and a slow, structured schedule. We manage the process with close monitoring and adjust the pace based on how your body responds.
Sleep medications
Medications like zolpidem are intended for short-term use and can be difficult to stop after long-term use. We support tapering alongside sleep hygiene and behavioral strategies.
Stimulants
Reassessment of stimulant need — particularly after significant life changes or a new ADHD evaluation — can clarify whether dose adjustments or discontinuation make sense.
Antipsychotics
When used for conditions other than psychosis (sleep, anxiety, mood augmentation), antipsychotics may warrant reassessment. Tapers are managed cautiously and with clear clinical rationale.
Polypharmacy
Patients on multiple psychiatric medications benefit from a comprehensive review to identify what is still necessary, what may be redundant, and what might be safely simplified.
Is deprescribing right for you?
Deprescribing is not appropriate in every situation. A thorough evaluation helps clarify whether it is a reasonable goal and what the process would look like for you specifically.
- Have been stable for an extended period and want to reassess
- Are experiencing side effects that affect your quality of life
- Were prescribed a medication during a crisis that has since resolved
- Are on multiple medications and want a comprehensive review
- Have never had a structured reassessment of your current regimen
- Want to understand what you actually still need
- Are in active psychiatric crisis or recently destabilized
- Have a history of severe relapse when medications were reduced
- Are currently in a high-stress transition that affects baseline
- Have conditions where long-term medication is strongly indicated
- Are not ready to engage in close monitoring during the process
How the process works
Harborlight takes over prescribing and manages the taper from start to finish. You do not need to remain under the care of your previous prescriber — we will request records and build the plan from there.
Comprehensive intake evaluation
We review your full medication history, original indications, current symptoms, prior taper attempts, and your goals. We request records from previous providers so we have the complete picture before making any changes.
Individualized taper plan
There is no universal taper schedule. We develop a plan based on the specific medication, your dose, duration of use, and your history. Some tapers take weeks; others take months. We do not rush the process.
Close monitoring and adjustment
Follow-up appointments are scheduled more frequently during active tapering. If symptoms emerge or the pace needs to change, we adjust. A taper is not a set-it-and-forget-it process — it requires ongoing clinical attention.
Ongoing care after taper
Whether you successfully discontinue a medication or decide to remain on it at a lower dose, we continue to provide psychiatric care. Deprescribing is one part of the picture — your overall mental health remains the focus.
FAQs
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No. You can request an appointment directly. We will ask for records from your previous or current prescriber so we have your full medication history before developing a plan. Your care transfers to Harborlight Psychiatric— you do not need to maintain a relationship with your prior provider in parallel.
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It depends significantly on the medication, dose, and duration of use. Some tapers take 4–8 weeks; others, particularly for benzodiazepines or long-term antidepressant use, may take six months or longer. We do not rush the process, and we adjust based on how you respond.
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That is a valid and important outcome. Not everyone can or should discontinue a given medication, and discovering that through a careful, monitored process is genuinely useful information. We adjust the plan accordingly — which may mean a slower taper, a lower target dose rather than full discontinuation, or a decision to remain on the medication with clearer justification than before.
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No — and for most psychiatric medications, stopping abruptly is not safe. Deprescribing involves a gradual, structured reduction over time, with clinical monitoring at each step. The pace is individualized and adjusted based on how you respond.
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Harborlight Psychiatric is a private pay practice, which means we don't bill insurance directly. We made this choice deliberately: it lets us spend real time with patients, make clinical decisions without an insurance company weighing in, and offer more flexibility in scheduling and care than a typical in-network practice can.
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Yes, with some structure. Your initial appointment takes place in person so we can complete a thorough evaluation and begin building a strong clinical relationship. After that, most tapering appointments can be completed by telehealth, provided you are physically located in Illinois at the time of each visit.
If your taper involves a controlled substance, such as a benzodiazepine or stimulant, Harborlight Psychiatric requires an in-person appointment at least once every 12 months. Additional in-person visits may be recommended based on your medication, clinical needs, or changes in applicable law. We’ll discuss these requirements with you before beginning your taper.
Ready to take a closer look at what you're taking — and why?
We're accepting new patients. Telehealth and in-person options available.